The Sun. — London, England, 1864-02-25 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMM.MCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK: , ALTERATION IN THE BANK RATE• A reduction of 1 per cent. has just been announced la the minimum rate of discount of the Bank of flgland. The movement was fully expected ° wing to the tendency of monetary affairs for some ti me past, and the improvement which is reasonably supposed to have taken place in the position of the bational establishment, The return, which will aPPear this afternoon, will no doubt show that the reserv e of notes, the stock of bullion, and the other securities warrant the relaxation, and the general 1 2raspeets of the market seem to justify the idea that farther concessions will be sp2edily adopted. For some days past the mercantile community have been , Ile gctiating first-class paper at 61 per cent., but the uifference between this rate and the lowest charge a t the Bank of England must have excluded bills brought forward for negotiation. All the adverse influences which were productive of the st ringent p o li c y w hi c h carried the price of money to 8 per ce n t. h ave di s appeared. The resources of t he Bank of F rance h ave improved, gold is no longer r equir e d f or transm i ss i on to P ar i s or s ilver in such lar ge quantities for shipment to India, the exchanges h ave all become favourable, and there is no pres sure for discounts, and bankers and brokers have far larger supplies than they are enabled to employ. 4 prosp ec t us h as been issued of the Imperial Fi nancial Company, with a capital of £ 2,000,000, th e half of which amount is to be first subscribed oa s hares of £5O. The objects of this company are, f c ourse, identical with similar existing companies. T he directory is composed of gentlemen of high stan ding in the commercial world. k Prospectus h as a l so b een i s sued of the general Inter national Agency Company, with a capital of 4 6 ° 0 2000 (half t o b e subscribed first), in shares of e 10, "to undertake financial credit, agency, and change operations in England and France. c Prospectus has been issued of the Gellivara ;, n1 „ PanY, with a capital of £500,000, in shares of ac res The object is to purchase an estate of 1,200,000 beds in Sweden, containing large and productive Portion of iron ore, extensive forests of pine, and a s ' Gr linn of agricultural land, besides saw-mills, fur ores, a shipbuilding yard, &c. The development s t his property, which is to be bought for £225,000, : c l a ires a railway of about 60 miles for the trans- Port of the iron ore to the furnaces and shipping r rt ) and this (including also the construction of e l/it) canals) will cost £232,000, towards which the ti : le dish Government contribute £48,000. Pending a enstruction of the railway and canals, which 11 1 .; Occupy three years, the vendors of the property 81 7ert e k e that if the rece i pts o f th e com pany fall ei Qr t of 6 per cent. they will make up any defi taeilleY• About four years back a plan was enter ned for thi s u n dertaking, but it was brought fe'tw ard in a less practical shape, and the period Ra e l ess favourable than at present. T he Prospectus of the English, Irish, and Foreign co O i llie g Stock Company will be found iu another t v illn 't of /he Sun, the object of the company being v t4 troduee imported patented inventions for rail it? waggons, buffer springs, and other improve tednts (by which the cost of repairs will be great l y t n : ced ) in the construction of waggons , &e . , &c. ; 4 11 4180 for building, sale, or letting on lease, such Da l l . r eved waggons to the different railway com follles. The .idea is a good one, and the gentleme n ra ing the directory are in every way well calcu ated t I). ' carry the company into active ope r a tion . Olya 1. es of large contracts have already been -eativEd. V Two O'CLOCK. e ll little business is reported in the d isc o un t -4 tlret. ehe discount firms have reduced the interest they on deposits to 41 per cent. on call, and to 5 per aent. at seven days' notice. of `he Was a meeting to day of t he shareholders , Orient a l an d G ene ral Marine Insurance Corn -4137, at which Mr. Elias Mocatta presided. The t Prt Was unanimously adopted, and inte rest at the : L i" I£s per cent, was ordered to be paid. The 1 1 , 4(th ee, £63,935 11s., was ordered to be car ried to , account. Not rt. the slightest variation has taken place in the q t , ll ,: et for Consols, which remain at the closing ii;Lations of yesterday, viz.. 918 / for money, and 1 0 4 d for the account. Had it not been for the aZ e v, r , in g of the rate of discount so me heaviness "' have been experienced, as there is an unfa -I'4tabl ~ e feeling relative to politics. The New b e te °a a and Reduced Annuities are 911 ; Ex htll4e: Bills have risen to 3s. die. to p ar. ; and f Per Cents. are 104 i 1. Tveary a i t i h tt e le Foreign Stook Market there has bee n alteration, and business is less activ e. litl rkiBh 6 per Cents., 1862, are 691 ; do. Como do ea r ; s° l * ; Greek, 221 s ; Spanish Passive , 34 } ; th e - , erti acates, 131 14; Portuguese, 471485; and Confederate Loan, 51 52. korekaa ac tivity has prevailed in the Railway S hare Ivo et tn- daY, and prices have generally given 114;* Lancashire and Yorkshire and Midland ‘ e t o . a , e , eline d 10s., North Western 55., South , t h - ", 4 35., and Metropolitan £2. b o t z t x orei- n 16 and Colonial undertakings exhibit tati:ril. alteration as regards values. fair an d Miscellaneous Shares continue in decii,"" e c ti c i lle st• Lond on and Brazilian h ave iropro.,; to 88, 1; Hindustan, China, and Japan have are quo e tadtl) 30ii ; Nation al S hipping Com p any wttoniml Prem. ; Mauritius Credit, preen. ; B askin g Fl° anei par 1 prem.; South Eastern tern t• 3 napan e m • and General In- At Et.ton a l A y, pr • I Reno 01 ,. the half. Yl. to 1 prem• bp la (Londo ) Y il earl Y meeting, today , of the Vic jlnsed a di n ou ' r rk Company, an amendment was the meeting for one month, d. °- "" n g a committee to report upon the a . Ity of )313 0ths the property. During Bracing ea the six j i " i ng December last 1,137 ships, ra allo w ? ' 4,78 2 tons, entered the Victoria Docks, as , -118. a decrease of 124 ships, and 110,446 tons, f4ilintaPared with the same period in 1862. This tie r g ° Er is accounted f o r in the decrease in 7418 414°411 ting to 177 ships, measu rin g 106, 4 o orizitN l3 3f ltiTlSll FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. De _ _ 12kTT FUNDS. oF kent. Consols itte. Account, March 5 .......... 91* , x b t ' to Der C ONer o n ' ll '. Reduced Pr pec rent . .......... 9 9 1 1 Cent , Jan. 1873.. ....... , 106_/ per . lil4t i elleciller B ills il,OOO, 21 & 3 per Cent. 3 n_ is p h r it ngland S i tk, 41 per Ct., last hf.-yr. 239 I ticlA ll . GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. t i s r Qtoek, 101 per Cent., April 1874.... Oto k en __ t • • -- .qt t t o 5 • Per Cent. July, 1870 -", ,c, E ,ui tt nfaced Paper, 4 per Cent 944 104/ I) , ° 6 Per Cent,, Jan. 1872 bltt a p ptr i tt -'ondS MAO ................. 0 'ander £1,000.. .a ziii ll ' FOREIGN FUND ' ........... E O'CLOCK. Ditto,a per Cent - 1839 and 1859.....- °YPtilO3 .i .) - au 7 per Cent 44 14 ° Second Issue „ s el l , , • . ---- 411\ittO LcroCuenntt., 1824-5, ex-Coup.ms 22i I i I)i, t - "to f', oupous t , • t° Account, —teat, 3 1) ;# , per Cent 2!t on ",', Account 1'4' 41 . Imperial. 5 per Cent 0 i ltuese 3 per Cent., 1853 1).40 Account.. . r) !tt o ~, per Cent., 1856, '7, '9, 'GO, 62,'2 „to Account 4B 6 4 . 8 jEtti 6 per Cent., 1822,:i; St — tp ah lt , t o 6 per Cent, 1862 - th 3 per Cent :4 itt o Ditto Account 52 ~,?,tto New Deferred ,4-,itto Account ijitt 451 o Pasegv e DittoSp„ Account 3l / 6 - 0 , 111 t.'!ert. of Coup not funded 1, c-0 11 CZ:Unnt .. 13i 1 1. ) fr `iNh 6 er Cent. 1851 itto A c count 9ll bit 1r ditto :u.i..)iii i t i ° ooo 6 A P e c r c o C u e n n t t . 1858 i Account Ill t , t ° 6 per Cent. 1862 .. 691 9 'llezuela 3 per Cent. 6 A p ec e o r - u C ri Tt., 1862 59 Ditc h Divid en d s o n the above payable in Lc.al n. itch 21 per Cent., Ex. 12 Gui1.. n ottaol a TWO O'CLOCK, Ditto Mone --Itto Acc oun y t „ .... , ...... . • . , 91i BEARE MARKETS,--This day, OLDINARY SHAPES AND STOUF3. Pa u! Closing Businest- Price. done. ihare! Railways. Bir., Wol., and Str. Val. all Blythe and Tyne. Bost.,Sleat.,andMid.Oo all Bristol and Exeter ...* 100 Caledonian lOO 'Corn and Bandon all Cornwall Do A t A 'lets no div all Do D till c.p an.bas I - tbeenpai. - Dublin & r 4 June.! all Ab. J une. , all Edinburgh & Glasgow.; 100 Glasg. and S. Western. , 100 Great Eastern, Ord. stk: 100 Ditto A stock ! 100 Ditto East Anglian st : 100 GreatNorthot Scotland 100 Great Northern lOO Do A stock lOO • Do 13 do Gt. S. an .1 W. of Ireland 100 Great Western Do Str Val gua. stock 100 Lancashire J.; Yorkshire 100 London and Blackwall 100 Lon., Bright.,& S. Coast 100 Lon., Chat., and Dover 100 Lon. & North Western 100 Lon. & Sw.th Western 100 Man., Slief., & Lincoln. 100 Marypert and Carlisle. all Do t shares all Metropolitan all Midland Do New Do Birming. & Derby 100 Mid. Gt. W. of Ireland all Do. shares Mid Kert ... all Do Cray Line North British Edin., Perth, & Dundee 100 Nth. Eastern—Berwlok 100 Do, G.N.E. purchase 16.13.4 Do Lecds lOO Do York Do Carlisle... lOO North London Do New 5 North Staffordshire . • all N. and S. W. Junction all Scottish Central Scot N. E., Aber. atom lOO Do Scot. Mid. stock lOO Shrews. and Welchpoo, all Shropshire Union 100 South Delon lOO South Eastern South Wales B. York. and River Dun 100 Staines,Wok.,andWok all Stockton & Darlington: all Do l7 Do New, 1550 , _8 13.14. 1 kb 10 st st 50 20 6.4.0 D. 18.4 12.10 Taff Va1e...., Do B Do C Ulster Do Vale of Neath _ _ Victoria sta. and Pim.. Waterford tz Kilkenny West Comical) W. Hartlepool Har.dzit. West Midland -oxlOrd Do Nowport Do lierotord 8 8 Si 9 85 t 7 120 121 64 74 37 39 16 17 fi4i 954 106 10S 484 4 01 47 49 74 8 129 133 136 137 134 136 95 97 e 45 L 5 1111 112 I 72 74 104 106 ;9 41 110 1:01, 09i 104 132 109 110 1301 1301 1 1 l i7 99 101 54 65 24 t 5 1031 IC4 58 59 91/ 82} 125 130 14 24 p 771 781 11 116 123 126 4t 44 98 10u 63i (Ai 34 Z 6 V4I 46i 100 102 81 91 28 30 9 10 t, 7i 81 F . 165 170 51 6 31 41 pl 68 92 22 24 BRITISH POSSESSIONS. Railways Itlantic & St Lawrence Bom.,Barodact.Cent Inc Gu. 5 per Do. New . .. •••• •• Do. E. Shares. .. Buffalo and Laxe Huron Do. Preference .....• Buffalo,Brant,/¢Godrich 5 p. et. bds. Aug. 1, 1872 Do. do. July 1, I67:z I I Do. do. June i, 1.6 - 2, ,Cleutta.&S.Eastn. (Lin, Cape Town U Dock Seri' Eastn. Bengal gu. 5 p. East Indian. gu. 5 p. c. Do. do. G Ext Do. do. H do. .. Grand Trunk of Canada Do. Ist Pref. Bonds.. Do. do. deferred...... Do. 2d Pref. Bonds.. Do. do. deferred...... l Do. 3d Px ef. stock ...i Do. do. deferred......', Do. 4th I'ref. stock... Do. do. deferred...... G t. IncllaPenin.gua.sp.c Do. New gua. 5 Do. January, i 862 Gt. South.of India (Lim • guaranteed 5 per cent. Gt. W. of Canada Shares Do. New .. I Do. 6 p.o. '73 with't opt. Do. 5i p. c. do. '77-8.... 'lndian Branch Limited Madras- guar., 5 p. o. Do. 4/ p. c. Extension Dc.4A do ........ Do. Fifth Extension. 3lelb.Corp. 6 p. o. Buds. tlelb. & Ilobson's Bay. Do. 7 p. c. Mortg. Bds. Tiewßr nsswick Candi, Class A and B. N.Rl.C'daB pa Ist t hda Soinde .........• Do. Delhi Do. do .... T, Do. Punjaub 4 .1 Do. Do. ........ Do. Indus. St. Flo. J 'OLONIAL G OVER 100 100 100 100 100 100 ML Paid, all 100 Closing Price. 59 br 163 101 1 5 bi 74 8) 7i all all 100 1(0 tO2 101 103 105 )00 101 105 P ' LP 20} 72 14 55 60 66 63 s') 53 49 52 3i (2 26 28 22 C 5 103} 104 a I all 100 (100 ' 100 2 all i 100 ' k 100 1021 104 9i 10 11 10i f; 92 94 85 87 p 1p 102 3 / 4 103j1 96 03 2 96 58 60 3 5 82 t 4 102 103 1(21 1031, iP 102} 104 Can. Gov. 6 p.o.J a &J 1877-S1 Do. 6 p. c. Feb. & Aug. Do. 6 p. c. Mar. & Sept. Do. E p. c. Jan.&July. Do. 5 Inscribed stock Cape G.Hope, 6 p 0,1873 Do.Ap &Oct. 1880 Do. 1890 Do. Jan. & July, 1891.. Ceylon, N0v.1878, 6 p c 'Mauritius 6 per cent .. Natal Gov. 6 per cent.. N.B.Gov. 6p.c. J a.&Jul) 1)0. 6p. o.Ap. & Oct. ,N. S.W. Gov.sp 1.,18et 101 103 99 101 102 IC4 811 91 89 91 100 108 108 110 110 112 108 109 111 113 I‘)6 108 1 4 .8 110 101 103 _ - Du. p. c.,16/1 to 16if Do. d0.,1888 Acupwdsl New Zealand 6 p cent. Nova Scotia Gov. 6 p. c. 00 100 99 t 0) 99 IGO 108 110 sterling, 1875 - I Queensland Gcv. 6 p. C. S. Aus G6p.e.1878.4: up.. Vic.Ciov. 6 p.c. JaarJuly Do. io 6D.0. Ao.acOet.. 100 100 100 100 100 LO3 105 103 111 10 111 1101,_ lu a w.u. u..t.rtio.. 4...• BRITISH. MINES. 2 Cambrian Consol. Gold I I- id Clifford Amalgamated 36 37 351 Devon G. Cons. (Tavist ) 1 670 680 East Blissett(lllogau) 30 63 70 East Clogau Gold Ltd East Caradon ..... 2.14. s 29 30 3) East Carn Brea... 3.4.0 61 7 E. WlRussel (Tavistk.) 8.9.0 41 4 G am .d z St.Aubyn(Gwen.) 581 10 11 Great South Tolg - us 17$ 4 41 G. Wheal Vor (lielston) 40 21 24 Grenville 6.16.4 51 51 51 Herd's-Foot . 8.12 S 5 37 Ilingston Downs 4.18.0, 41 4 Lady Bertha Margaret (tiny Lelaut 9;1 17 19 Nlarke Valley.. 4 Myndy Iron Ore (Lim ) 21 11 t d New Setun l9l Si 95 • North Downs ll 21 N.Wll`; Basset (Illogma; 3.1.0 N 2 21 Sorth Wheal i)roity .. 2.6.9 5 54 Par Consols (st. Blaze); Providence (Uny Lelnt.) 10.6.7 44 46 South Caradon(St.Cleer, 11 440 460 S. Carn Brea (Illogan).. Frau. (Mogan) 18.18.9 05 60 - I Stray; Park ' Carom' Silv.et Lead Dlin — ' 1:. fin Crolt 9 1 20i West Basset (Mogan). 'l4 11 12 W Cr radon (Liskeard) 5 21 23 West &ton Wheal Basset (Illogan) 5* 190 200 —.. 'Wheal Bulleratedruth) 10 871 9 2 1 Wheal Kitty (li.Lelant) 2.0.6 33 40 WhealLuckott Wheal Mary Ann plen ) 8 134 111 Wheal Teton . 581 175 185 181 Wheal Trelawney (Lis.); 7 23 24 Wheal Union j 3.17 21 2/ PREFERENCE SHARES. Great Western Orig. 44 per cent. pf., 08 North Eastern, Cons. pref., 44 per cent. rd., 103 rnEFEnENCE SHARES AND STOCKS. London, Chatham, Szc., Metrop. Ext., B 6 per cent., 1001 FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Belgian Eastern Junction, 111 f o ttoman (Smyrna to Aidm), 11i San Paulo (lim.), gua. 7 per cent., sh Ditto (all), 21 201 FOREIGN MINES. Linares, lim., 6i „ P anu leillo Copper, lira., 2w l'ontgiband Silver, Lead Min. and Smelting, 7 Port Philip, 11 St, John del Rey Olni.). nu United Mexicali (111 1 4 p 7 DOCKS. East and West India, 141 JOINT-STOCK BANKS.: • .Anglo Austrian, 6 Bank of Egypt, 26 ese, lira., 8 Brazilian and Portugu British and American Exchange (im.), 186 Chartered Bank of British Columbia, 116 Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, 44 Continental, Rm., 96 a English and Swedish, lim.. 7 Hindustan, china, and Japan (lira.), 306 Imperial Ottoman, 181 London and Brazilian (lira.), 58} London, Buenos Ayres, and River Plate, 516 1 London Chartered Bank of Australia, 26/ London and Colonial (Rm.), 7j • London and County, 58a London and Westminster. f 0 6 Scinde, Punjaub, and Delhi, lim., 7* Standard of British South Africa (lim ), 28 Union of Australia, 55 Union of London, 44} MISCELLANEOUS. Bombay Gas, limited, 4 Commercial Union (Insurance), 10196 Contract Corporation. Um., 4k Crystal Palace, 3 Discount Corporation, limited, 101 Egyptian Commercial and Trading, Um., 46 Gen. Credit and Finance of London, lira., 7. I a Hudson's Bay, 18a International Financial Society, 126 Joint•stock Discount, lim., London and Caledonian Marine, lira., London Financial Association, litn., 261 London General Omnibus Company,f2i London Provincial Marine, 31 3 National Discount Company, him., 12 North British and Mercantile Insurance, lim., 20i 1:10 de Janeiro City Improvements, Ditto (4), 4 i Thames and Mersey Marine (Insurance), Um., 7 THE BAPTISM OF THE GRAND DUKE PETER, son of the Grand Duke Nicholas, has just taken place at the winter palace. The godfathers were the Emperor, the Grand Dula: Constantine, the Grand Duke Nicholas, brother of the young Prince, and Prince Peter of Olden burg. The godmothers were the Queen Dowager of Hol land, and the (rand Duchesses livleu, Maria, tuul Olga, T SECURITIES. 90 891 THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1864. POLICE INTELLIGENCE—This Day, MARLBOROUGH-STREET. FIFTY CHARGES OF DESTROYING CLOTHES IN WORK HOUSES IN A MoNnt.—Not a day has passed for the last few weeks without charges of destroying clothes being brought before the magistrates at this court from St. George's, St. James's, and St. Martin's workhouses, and notwithstanding the magistrates have in all cases sent the offenders to prison for terms of either 21 days or a month, the offence does not appear to be on the decrease. This morning three men were brought before Mr. Knox charged with destroying the clothing, two from St. Martin's and one from St. George's. The prisoners made the usual defence in such cases—that their clothing was dirty, and they destroyed them so as to got others. They were com mitted for 21 days each. Naval and Military Intelligence. THE NAVY. Her Majesty's iron frigate Hector, of 4,123 tons, and 800-horse power of engines, commanded by Captain W. Preedy, C. 8., met with unequivocal success on her final, or " commission," trial of speed on Tuesday, at the measured mile in Stokes Bay, near Portsmouth. The ship weighed her anchor at Spithead by 9 a.tn., and soon afterwards Rear- Admiral A• Broadhead, the officer under whose supervision the trial was to take place, accompanied by his staff, Mr. J. Ward, assistant to the Chief Engineer of Portsmouth dockyard, and Mr. G. Murdoch, Inspector of Machinery Afloat, arrived on board. The engines were then turned ahead, and the ship steamed out by the eastern channel to the waterway between the Noman and Horse Forts, where she was first tested in making circles with full and half-boiler power, with these results : Full power—helm to starbeard,l2 men at the wheel, revolutions of engines, 571 ; time occupied in get ting up the helm, 27 sec.; angle of rudder, 20 deg. ; turns of wheel, 21; time in making half-circle, 2 min. 48 sec.; ditto full circle, 5 min. 49 sec.; revolutions of engines, 55. Full-power—helm to port, revolutions of engines, 571 ; time in getting helm up,• 25 sec. ; angle of rud der, 26 deg. ; turns of wheel, 21 ; time in making half circle, 2 min. 41 sec. ; ditto fall circle, 5 min. 24 sec.; revolutions of engines, 56. With half boiler power the full circle was made to starboard in 6 min. 43 sec., and to port in 5 min. 49 sec. The diameter of the circles was from two and a-half to three times the ship's length, and the ship was steered as a boat, On the conclusion of the circle experiments the ship's head was laid for the trial ground of the measured mile in Stokes Bay to test her at the more important portion of her day's work, and obtain her average rate of speed under full and half boiler power over the course of the measured mile. The ship was drawing 24ft. 2in. of water forward, now that she was under steam and her anchor stowed, and 25ft. Sin. aft. The wind was light from N.E., the water smooth as a lake, the ship's machinery was working admirably and every thing was in the ship's favour. At full boiler power the results were :—First ran—time, 4 min. 44 see.; speed, 12-676 knots; steam, 2011. b. ; vacuum 261 ; revolutions of engines, 581. Second run— time, 5 min. 12 sec. ; speed, 11.538 knots; steam, 22ib ; vacuum, 251; revolutions of engines, 59. Third run—time, 4 min. 36 sec. ; speed, 13.043 knots ; steam, 201 b. ; vacuum, 251; revolutions cf engines, 59. Fourth run—time, 5 min. 13 sec,; speed, 11.501 knots ; steam, 2191 b. ; vacuum, 25a; revolutions of engines, 59. Fifth run—time, 4 min. 20 sec. ; speed, 13 846 knots; steam, 211 b. ; vacuum, 251; revolutions of engines, 591. Sixth run—time, 5 min. 35 sec. ; speed, 10.746 knots ; steam, 221 b. ; vacuum, 251; revolutions of engines, 599. The mean speed of the six runs was 12.358 knots. At half-boiler power the results were :—First run— time, 4 min. 59 sec. ; speed, 12.040 knots ; steam, 211 b.; vacuum, 27; revolutions of engines, 45. Second run—time, 7 min. 6 sec.; speed, 8.450 knots; steam, 211 b.; vacuum, 27; revolutions of engines, 48. Third run—time, 4 min. 59 sec ; speed 12.040 knots ; steam, 221 b. ; vacuum, 27 ; revolu tions of engines, 49. Fourth run—time 7 min. 7 sec. ; speed, 8.430 knots ; steam 221 b ; vacuum, 27 ; revolutions of engines 49. The mean speed of the four runs was 10-242 knots. The temperatures were as follow the first run, on deck, at full power, 38 deg. ; at half-power, 44 deg. In the engine-room—forepart, 74 deg. at full-power, and 74 deg. at half-power ; middle, 64 deg. at full. power, and 64 deg. at half-power ; aft, 68 deg. at full-power, and 69 deg. at half-power. In the stokehole—forepart, 94 deg. at full-power, and 80 deg. at half-power; middle, 109 deg. at full power, and 108 deg. half ; aft, 103 deg. full, 105 deg. half power. In the last runs the maximum temperature in the engine room was 78 deg., and in the stoke hole 124. The Hector by her full power rate of speed takes a position just below the Royal Oak, the actual difference being between 12.358 knots of the Hector and 12528 knots of the Royal Oak; but she beats both the Defence and the Re sistance. On the whole her trials of Tuesday must be considered a great success as compared with her trial previous to being placed in commission, when she only averaged 11.843 knots. The unpleasant yet positive fact, however, remains that this success has only been attained at the cost of the ship's effi ciency. Her armaments has been reduced from 34 to 24 guns, while her cupola furnace for supplying molten iron for shells, her spare fans for the screw, and every other available spare weight have been landed, her coals have been reduced from 440 tons (her complement) to 350 tons, her warrant officers' and other stores in proportion, and her stores of pro visions to only one month's salt and two months' dry. As the Hector will not very probably be sent to a more distant station than the Mediterranean, this short supply of stores and provisions may be of little real moment, as she can fill up at every port she may call in. The loss of the third of her ar mament, however, is, in appearance, a far more serious matter, yet even in this instance, when it is considered that the guns on board the Hector only fire cast -iron projectiles, and are therefore harmless against iron armoured ships, it can be but of little consequence whether she carries one or 50 of such weapons, and the Admiralty have therefore done Wisely in sacrificing the ship's guns to her speed. The ship now carries on her main deck 20 95ewt. 68-pounder guns and on her upper deck four 110- pounder rifled Armstrongs, besides her complement of boat guns, thus carrying no breech-loading guns on main-deck. Inboard the ship is in the most per fect order, which reflects the highest possible credit upon Capt. Preedy and his officers, when the short time the ship has been in commission is consi dered. The ship would be officially inspected at Spithead by Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Sey mour, G.C.8., and to-day at daylight she is expected to sail for Portland, where she will meet the Chan nel Fleet on their return from Lisbon. As regards the ship's machinery, none could have worked better than did the Heetor's on Tuesday during the trials. The makers, Messrs. J. Napier and Sons, of Glas • gow, were represented by Mr. J. Brown. The en• gines were in charge of Mr. Dickson, the able engineer of the ship. The ship was very steady under steam, very little vibration of any kind being experienced. The following appointments and promotionshave been made at the Admiralty :—William Donnison, chief-engineer, to the Indus, for the Meg acre, when the latter is paid off; N. F. Hockerston, assist.- engineer, to the Asia; Alex. G. Smith, assist-engi neer, to the Dromedary ; William Lawson, in the Styx, and George Duncan, in the Princess Char. lotto, promoted to acting first-class assist.-engineers; Robert B. Turner, in the Prince Consort, James A. Shawyer, in the Pylades, Aaron H. Symes, in the Princess Royal, and Edward Chambers, in the Hogue, promoted to first-class assist-engineers. THE ARMY. The expenditure upon the new cavalry barracks at Co!cheater to the close of 1863 was £58,645. A vote of £30,000 is proposed to be made in the cur rent financial year for the further prosecution of the work, and it is calculated that £19,000 will be required in 1865-6. Provision has been made in the Army Estimates for calling out the Militia for 28 days' training. The num ber of men to be called out is 128.969, at an expense of £738,783. tjill JAMES MATHESON has, it is said, during the last 20 years, spent upwards a £300,000 in improving the Island of Lf.',VNd. Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund, ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-third annual meeting of the sub scribers to the meritorious fund, which is in connec tion with the Provident Clerks' Life Assurance As sociation, was held last night at the London Tavern, Bishopegate-street. John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., treasurer of the Fund, presided. The following is the annual report, which was read by Mr. W. T. Linford:— The Board of Management have much pleasure in pre senting to the members and friends of the fund their 23d annual report, and in congratulating them on the continued prosperous condition of the institution. The income of the year 1833 was as follows ;--F rem annual subscriptions, £997 4s; life ditto, 421 ; annual subscriptions of ss. Lad upwards from members being clerks, £Bl7 83 ; donations, £390 5s 62 ; interest, dividends, So., £l,OBl 16c 42 : the Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Association, being the proportion of :bonus to December 31, 1862, £3,049; total, £3,056 13s 101 The last-named item, v:z., the bonus from life assurance, will doubtless afford great satisfaction to the members, evincing, as it does, how completely the two institutions mutually act and react to the benefit of each other, and affording to the board at these divisions the opportunity of largely increasing the list of annuitants. By the very handsome contribution made from this source on the present occasion, the assets of the funds are in creased to £21,868. The sum of £225 15s 63 has been dis tributed in gratuities during past year. Pursuant to the resolution of the last annual general meeting, an election of annuitants took place, on the 28th May last, when the fol lowing were elected, viz, :—One clerk to an annuity of £35, ono clerk to an annuity of £3O, four widows to annuities of £2O each, two widows to annuities of £l5 each ; making a total of £175 per annum, Five annuitants having died during the year, viz., four clerks and one widow, and one annuity has been relinquished by a widow, whose cir cumstances no longer require it. There were on the fund on the 31st of December last 65 annui tants, who were receiving collectively £1,195 per annum, The board now recommend that 12 additional annuitants, viz., 4 clerks and 8 widows of clerks, be elected. A resolu tion to the above effect will be submitted to the meeting. The board have deemed it advisable 'to seek for two other gentlemen, in addition to those at present appointed audi tors; and they have been so fortunate as to secure the ser vices iu that capacity of William Sander Higley, Esq., manager of the London and Westminster Bank, Lothbury, and James Gray, Esq., Chief Accountant to the London and County Bank. The above gentlemen having kindly consented to act, have been provisionally appointed by the board, and their election, in accordance with the rules, will be submitted for confirmation at this meeting The board cannot close this report without expressing the pleasure it affords them thus largely to increase the number of annui tants. To the merchants and bankers of London especially the fund is deeply indebted for their generous and valuable support, to which the increased subscription list of the last two years years ample testimony. Many new and impor tant mercantile establishments have arisen during the last few years, and the board hope to see the means of the fund still further increased from this source—but they cannot lose sight of the fact that the true strength of the fund should be found in the contributions of the clerks them selves,—not only of those to whom the benefits conferred by the fund are of serious moment, but of those whd are themselves removed by Providence from the fear of indi gence, and to whom their less fortunate brethren have a right to look for sympathy and assistance in their hour of need. The CHAIRMAN said it was a very agreeable duty to ask the members then assembled to receive and adopt the gratifying report just read, and he was sure they would all participate in the pleasurable feelings with which he was then impressed, in living to see the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Association make so great an advancement. (Hear, hear.) He must, however, say that he was sorry the clerks of this great commercial country did not help themselves as they ought,and no one was more convinced than he was, that it did not receive the cordial and general support its intrinsic merits entitled it to. He would not say one word of these to whom a guinea was an object, but he felt there were many, and a very great many, to whom that sum was quite insignifi cant who withheld their subscriptions from the fund. (Hear, hear.) Many a clerk in the pursuit of pleasure did not grudge to give five guineas for a dinner at the Star and Garter at Richmond, yet they did grudge to give one to the Benevolent Fund, whose aim and object was to assist and re lieve their brethren in times of difficulty and misfortune. It could not be because there was no merit in the institution, or that an ill-feeling existed against them, but there appeared to be a reluctance on the part of many in a position to help the association, which was not at all praiseworthy. If he knew how to excite the benevolence of those who yet withheld their support, he should be only too happy to do so, but the great difficulty was that he did not know how to get at them, and if there were any present that evening who were in a better position with respect to those of whom he spoke they were at perfect liberty to represent his feelings to them. (Hear, hear.) The Association had in it all that was good and praiseworthy, and having these elements it ought to take its proper position amongst those admirable institutions which were an honour to the English nation. (Hear, hear.) When it was first established he knew its founda tion was sound, and it did give him infinite pleasure to find that since that period it had steadily pro gressed until its income amounted to over 13,000 per annum. Those who had contributed to this beneficent end he was sure would feel adequately rewarded by the reflection of the good they had done and the good they were doing, and not withstanding the god-send they had received from the Provident Clerks' Life Assurance Association, he hoped they would all continue to labour for the prospe r it y o f an institution whose object was so pure and praiseworthy. (Cheers.) The notion of tb.e chairm an having bean seconded, it was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said, i n or d er to avoid any diffi culty that might arise fro m t h e a b s ence at any time of the gentlemen who kindly acted as auditors, the directors had elected two additional gentlemen who had given their valuable support to the institution —viz., William Sanders Higley, Esq., manager of the London and Westmi nster B an k, Lothbury, and James Gray, Esq., chief accountan t o f the London and County B ink. The directors had given them a most satisfactory re port, and he felt certain the meeting would feel it a pleasure in confirming an act of theirs—viz., the election of Mr. Higley and Mr. Gray as auditors. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. R. H. JONES, chairman of the fund, moved a resolution to the effect that, on the 26th of May, or some other day to b e appointe d , 12 additional annuitants—viz., four clerks and eight widows— be added to those already on the fund. He said the success that had attended them during the past year had enabled them to make the great addi tion to the list of annuitants mentioned in the reso lution. It was a gratification to ask them to assent to such a proposition, and he was certain they He had drawn out a few stati st i cs to read to them. but he would refrain frma doing so , an d s i m ply tell would sanction the prepositi on of the di rectors: them that in 10 years they had doubled their capi tal—(hear, hear)—that sin ce the commencement they had given £11,500 to 93 annuitants, that they had given gratuities of £2,00`) and upwards to others, that they had lent £35,000 amongs t 1790 members, and that they had l ost b ut aboutl9 per cent. in the repayments. (Hear, hear.) Mr. WELCH, deputy chairman, said it was with the utmost pleasure he seconded the resolution, because he felt it would give comfort and happi ness to those really deserving it. He regretted that the leading clerks of the country abstained from giving them their support ; and although he had frequently appealed t o t h ose holding high positions, he often failed i n getting the guinea. He regretted the small amount they re ceived in annual subscriptions, but he hoped they would increase. He could nut tell why it was, but it was a fact notw i thstanding, that scarcely one of the names of those charitable persons in the higher classes of society appeared in their list. He was quite at a loss to account for such a circumstance, because clerks were concerned in obtaining luxuries from all parts of the world, which were considered necessary to the e ffluent. Another claim he thought the clerks had upon the public generally for support was, the large amount they contributed amongst themselves for the relief and support of their more unfortunate brethren. The CHAIRMAN said it was a very agreeable duty to put the resolution to the meeting. He was not quite cure he agreed with Mr. Welch in his obser vations relative to the absence of the names of the charitable aristocracy from their lists. (Hear, hear.) He looked upon that already achieved with very great pride, because it had been done by lhe city and the clerks themselves. (Cheers.) He thong t indeed it was the bounden duty of the clerks to make this institution, as far as they reason ably could, a self-supporting one, and he looked with pride upon its present position. Although he would not quarrel with Mr. Welch if he brought them £l,OOO from the west, or reject the amount, yet he did hcpo that the clerks themselves would see the great necessity of putting their shoulders to the wheel and thus place their institution in the highest position by their own efforts, (Hear, hear.) The resolution via/ carried unanimously. Mr. LLOYD moved a vote of thanks to the trus tees and treasurer. He was certain ho need not say a single word in praise of those gentlemen. They all knew how much they owed to them, and they also knew what as emeellent friend their treasurer had been. (Cheers.) He was rejoiced that the fund had nearly arrived at that point to which he wished to see it cynae, as they could now pay their annuitants, within a fraction, from the interest on their invested fund. (Cheers.) Ho thought if more were given in shape of gratuities, a very beneficial result would follow; and with respect to the higher clerks with holding their support, he thought it arose from the false shame of being put down as clerks that pre vented many from subscribing. He thought if they could surmount that feeling of false pride, all would go well. He could not understand a man being ashamed of his position, and he felt that he who was so, would never arrive at a very exalted station in society. Mr. MINTON seconded the . motion. Ho also thought that if more was given in gratuities and relief afforded in sickness, it would greatly increase their members. Mr. LINFORD then put the resolution, and de clared it carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said nothing could be more gra tifying to him than the vote they had just passed. Mr. Bating, one of their trustees, he knew was only kept away by his invitation to the Speaker's dinner, which was a sort of command, and although Baron Rothschild was too ill to attend, he was certain that both be and the other two gentlemen, Mr. Prescott and Mr. Hankey, took the most lively in terest in their welfare and prosperity. (Cheers.) With respect to the observations of Mr. Lloyd, he felt there was much force in them; but he (the chairman) must say that some of his most valued friends had been clerks. (Loud cheers.) It was a very difficult thing to give away money without doing more harm than good ; and to insure its being used properly in its distribution the greatest judgment and discrea tion was necessary. And with respect to giving relief in sickness, he thought it a shame and a dis grace for a principal to let a clerk want in sickness. (Loud cheers.) He did not think it was right that the Fund should be expected to stand in place of the duty the principal owed to his suffering employe. At the same time he was glad to be able to assure Mr. Lloyd that every application for aid had been granted after proper examination of the merits of the case. For his own part he should not be afraid to go even a little faster than the board, though they were very right to keep the fund in such a state that annuitants should always be sere of their money. (Cheers.) He found there was nothing on his paper that would aff3rd him an opportunity of returning his thanks to the directors for the great care they had bestowed on the fund for the past year, so he would be guilty of a little irregularity, and move a vote of thanks to them, trusting to the meeting to give him a seconder. The motion was immediately seconded by about a dozen gentlemen rising to contend for the honour, and carried unanimously. Mr. JONES, on the part of his colleagues, returned thanks. Mr. DAWSON moved, and Mr. REYNOLDS se conded a vote of thanks to the auditors, and The CHAIRMAN, in putting the resolution, said he could not over-esiimate the value or importance of Mr. Scudamore joining the Fund, occupying as he did so distinguished a position in the Post•office. The motion was carried. Mr. SCUDAMORE said he was almost ashamed of receiving so many thanks for doing so little. He hoped it would, as time progressed, become harder. (Hear.) He had been a clerk all his life. (Hear.) He entered the Government service as a clerk, and he hoped to do so until he was pensioned and turned off. (Laughter and cheers.) He should like to see all the Government clerks giving their support to the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund. Mr, JEPPS moved a vote of thanks to the chair man. Mr. LLOYD, in seconding it, referred to the sub ject of the foundation of a school for the children of clerks, and said he was quite prepared to fulfil the promise he made last year, as soon as a committee was appointed. The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the vote, said he had not lost sight of the proposition of Mr. Lloyd, and he might depend upon it he would do all in his power to aid him in his praiseworthy endeavour. The proceedings then terminated. THE UNITED STATES SANATORY COMMISSION. — A meeting was held on Saturday evening last, at Messrs. Wheeler and Wilson's, 139, Regent-street-•the Hon. Freeman H. Morse, U.S. Consul, in the chair—and which was attended by all the principal Americans in Lon don, in order to organise a committee to work in conjunc tion with one formed in Paris, to obtain subscriptions in money or goods for the great Fair which is to be held in Now York on the 28th of March, for the benefit of the sanatory commission. Judge Winter, in an eloquent speech, explained the object of the society, which is to grant addi tional aid to wounded soldiers, whether Federal or Confe derate, and also to assist in the sanatory arrangements of the army. No doubt thousands of lives have been saved through the efforts of the commission, and thousands more of crippled and wounded soldiers passed on to their homes, and assisted with money and clothing. More than 70 millions of dollars have been collected in the States for the commis sion since its foundation ; but even this large sum is inadequate to the calls made upon their funds, owing to the immense armies that are in the field, and the unhealthy climate in which some of them are engaged. The Anglo- American Committee, therefore, propose to obtain subscrip tions from Americans residing in England, and from any other parties who are interested in alleviating in some de gree the horrors of this unhappy civil war. Cyrus IV. Field, Esq., stated that Mr. Elliott, of the firm of Glass and Elliott, telegraphic cable manufacturers, has offered, with a truly noble liberality, 1,000 tons of coal, raised from his own collieries, and which he will transport free to a port for shipment, and no doubt many others will be found to interest themselves in this purely philanthropic measure, which is not a party question, but one of general interest to all who would wish to relieve suffering humanity from what ever cause. A subscription list was opened in the room, and a permanent committee formed, The Hon. F. H. Morse was elected president, C. W.:Field, Esq., R. Hunting, Esq., and Judge Winter, vice-presidents; and Mr. Starr, of the firm of Wheatley and Starr, of Cheapside, hon. secretary and treasurer. Dudley, Esq., U.S. Consul at Liverpool, ex plained to the meeting that Messrs. Guyon and Co., of that town, had offered to carry by their ships goods in tended for the fair free of all charge, and ho (Mr. Dudley), would receive and ship all which were forwarded to him. Messrs. Wheatley and Starr will receive goods in London, and the treasurer any subscription that may be sent to him. It was also made known that several of the nobility, and many other ladies were engaged in collecting articles for the fair ; amongst others, Miss Fanny liemble, is making a collection of valuable autographs, which, no doubt, will realise a considerable sum. We hope that those parties who have been doing a large and profitable business with America, will follow.the noble example of Mr. Elliott, and contribute to the necessities of their suffering brethren in the States—putting aside all the party feeling; for, although the United States Government do all that energy and unlimited means will allow, still the private and volun tary aid of the Commission in assisting :the sick and wounded of both parties in the camp, the hospital, and the prison, cannot be overrated ; and thousands on thousands of both Federals and Confederates will shower blessings in after years upon this humane work, During the late severe weather it became neces sary to issue an extra allowance of fuel to the troops at Alderehott. The bullion operations at the Bank yesterday comprised an influx of £27,000 in bar gold, and the withdrawal of 82,000 Ea ve reigns for tranemia sion to .Alexandria. The issue has been announced of the balance of the Ottoman Loan of. 1863, specially reserved in April last. The present holders have a preferential option of subscribing to this operation in the pro portion of one new for every three existing bonds. The nnmber now to be emitted is 100,000 of £2O each, bearing 6 per oent. interest from the lot of January last at the price of 68. 1101 10 i } 091 1(8 71 1304 Business done 2 1031 41 AMERICA. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) (Per the Jura, via Greencastle.) NEW YORK, FEE. 13, EVENING. By telegraph to Portland an express train has been captured eight miles from Harper's Ferry, and the passengers robbed. It is not known whether the attack vas made by the Confederates or by gangs of Federal deser►ers. PO It TUGAL. LISBON, Feb. 23.—There is no truth in the state ment that the Count de Paiva is to be transferred from the embassy of Paris to that of Madrid. The Count is about to repair to Lisbon to take part in the labours of the Chamber of Peers, and will after wards resume his duties at Paris. COMAIERCIIL INTELLIGENCE: Money easy. Gold 591 per cent. premium. Ex. change on London, 171 . 1. Stocks very firm. New York Centrals 133,1; Illinois, 1314 ; Erie, 1131. Cotton.—Middling upland, 311. Petroleum slightly firmer; crude, 304 31 ; refined, 48 49. The steamers America and Edinburgh take out 850,000 doffs. in specie. The Proposed Conference on the Dauo- German Question. (REUTER'S TELEGRAM.) BERLIN, FEB. 24. It is stated in diplomatic circles that the Conference for the settlement of the Dano-German question was proposed by England, with the concurrence of France, and that the proposal was supported by Russia. Prussia and Austria, as already stated, have accepted the Conference, to which a representa tive of the G?rmanic Diet will be invited. The same Powers have refused, however, to grant an armistice, and hostilities will not be dis continued during the Conference. IMPERIAL F. HOUSE OF COMMONS---Yesterday. The SPEAKER took the chair shortly after 12 o'clock. RENTS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of Mr. LONGFIELD the order for the second reading of this bill was discharged, with the under standing that the measure should be originated in the House of Lords as previously, LANDED PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT (IRE • LAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL. In consequence of tho absence of Irish members at the assizes the second reading ,of the bill was postponed until April 27, MALT FOR CATTLE BILL: On the motion for going into committee on this bill, Mr. BASS objected to the measure, and said that its nature was not properly understood through out the country, and was regarded by the farmers with great dissatisfaction. Ho denied that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made out a satisfactory case for this bill. The right hon. gentleman said that the duty on beer was 25 per cent.,but the farmers calculated that it amounted to 75 per cent., and although he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) said that the duty on foreign wines which came into competition with beer was from 50 to 100 per cent., he (Mr. Bass) from information received from the highest authorities on this subject in London was led to the con clusion that the duty on the foreign wines amounted to not more than 27 per cent. He (Mr. Bass) therefore submitted that this was a reasonable argument why the duty on beer which the Chancellor of the Ex±equer said was 25 per cent. should be reduced one half. (Hear, heat.) He was convinced that the measure of the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not prove satisfactory, in whatever light it was regarded, and that the only remedy for the grievance of which the right hon. gentleman complained was to reduce the malt duty one half. Mr. DU CANE said that, during the interval between the present time and the second reading of the bill, he had com municated with his constituency (an agricultural one), who were unanimous with regard to this measure, and their opi nion might be summed up in one word, namely, that the more they looked at it the less they liked it. (Hear, hear.) He considered that if anything was calculated to make malt sters rogues this bill would effectually do it, because it held forth to them a premium for the adulteration of linseed. Before concluding he would quote the words of a poet with whom the right hon. gentleman (the Chancellor of the Ex chequer was familiar : Tiraeo Dannas et dons ferextes." (Laughter.) Colonel DICKSON, as the representative of an agricul tural constituency, said he had not heard one sound argu ment in favour of the bill, In reference to Ireland, to which allusion had been made on a previous occasion, ho contended that the causes to which the agricultural distress in that country might be traced would be aggravated by this mea sure, which he felt bound to oppose. Mr. P. URQUHART opposed. Mr. BEACH supported the bill. Mr. HENLEY considered that the bill would be quite inoperative, and he protested against its being accepted as an answer to the demand that was made for the reduc tion in the duty on malt. Mr. DODSON said that the bill was introduced merely as an experimental measure, and if it proved successful it would no doubt lead to further facilities for the use of malt as an article of food. Mr. BUTTON approved going into committee, but at the same time considered that the bill was encumbered with difficulties, which were inevitable in dealing with this sub ject. Mr BENTINCK was of opinion that unless:those portions of the bill which provided for the visits of excisemen and for separate houses for malting were withdrawn, the mea sure ought to be thrown out on the third reading. He did not consider that the bill would satisfy the desire of the public in reference to the malt duty. Mr WALTER was not sanguine as to the success of the bill, but he thought it should have a fair trial. After some further discussion, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER defended the bill. It was said that there was safety in a multi tude of counsellors, and the same might be as serted of the multitude of tha enemies to this bill who were knocking their heads together as if to ascer— tain which were the hardest, and he had no doubt in the end justice would be done. (Laughter.) The right hon. gentleman then combatted at length the arguments against the bill, which were to the effect that it was inef ficient, a surrepititious method of getting rid of the desire for the entire repeal of the duty on malt, that it was sur rounded with insuperable obstacles and was dangerons with regard to revenue. As related to the latter, the Government were responsible for the raising of the revenue or the public service, and they could not consent to the amendments that were on the paper. Re would be most happy to release the farmer from excise restrictions, but by doing so in this case he would be surrendering £3,000,000 revenue. The opinion of farmers was divided in reference to this bill, and although it might not effect all the benefit desirable, he contended that it would do much service, The house then went into committee on the bill. Sir E. BERING moved the following clause :—That it shall be lawful for all persons engaged in agriculture to malt barley (according to the provisions of the act) for the consumption of their own stock, without taking out a maltster's licence, but it was subsequently postponed. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he would move that the Chairman should now report pro gress, and he proposed to proceed with the committee 'text Friday, but not at an hour that would bo inzonvenient. The house then resumed. INSANE PRISONE RS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. The house adjourned at a quarter past 3 o'clock. THE NATIONAL POLISH LEAGUE.—A general meeting of the members of this league was held last evening at the Whittington Club, Strand—Mr. Edmond Beales in the chair. Mr. J. R. Taylor, the hon. secretary read a mass of correspondence from all parts of the country' breathing a spirit of sympathy for Poland, amongst other letters from the Earl of Shaftesbury, and from 11. Datrone, secretary to the Polish Central Committee in Paris. He also reported the receipt of a large number of extensively signed petitions in favour of the recegnition of the bellige rent rights of Poland, and that a great number were still in circulation throughout the United Kingdom. When these were all collected steps would be taken to get them pre sented to Parliament at a favourable opportunity. The usual routine business of the league having been transacted, the chairman said he desired to put th e l eague in possession of the latest authentic news he had received from Poland. It would, of course, not be wise for him to enter into derails, but he could state upon authority that the insurrection was now in a more hopeful s t a t e t h an it had been at any Limo since its coulmencement. The whole nation—aristo cracy, middle classes, and the peasantry—were now united as one man, and early in the spring a numerously and well eqnipped Polish national arm./ would be in the field reedy to take advantage of th-se, complications which must of necessity arise in Europe during the next few months. An outbreak in Italy and Hungary might be looked for at any moment, and the Polish leaders w ere watching events, although not idl e, as the telegrams wo uld inform them. lie hoped that before three months had passed ac;away the cause of Polish n a ti ona li ty wou ld b e on.. the . of its triumph. (Loud che ers .) A vo t e o f thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA i 2 said to be expected in Berlin ere long. ABOUT THE ENGLISH OF IT, - ,jl.- - From the Daily News of this morning we ex tract the following admirable comment on this vaunted acceptance by Austria and Prussia of the proposition of a Conference in London. Another oxemplififlation of Lord Ruisell's delight in playing his ff.vauri!e part of "Moonshine."— , " When the Times of yesterday arrives at Berlin and Vienna, the statesmen of Austria arid Prussia will perceive how wise they were to reject Lord Palmerston's proposal of an armistice. it is plain now that they knew exactly the man with whom they had to deal, and the event shows that it would have been sheer waste of amiability to grant that request when, at the price of the most airy of concessions, and 'without pausing in their iniquitous career, they could obtain the full reward. of moderation and virtue. Their unjust invasion is to be maintained, the butchery in Schleswig is to go on, and the mere consent of Austria and Prussia to send two diplomatists to talk about the affairs of Denmark is accepted by Lord Palmerston as a pro of that, after all, those Powers are righteous and juAt. And not only so, but this notable compliance, it ap pears, is held to be a great triumph of British influ ence, one which is to silence the Patric and confound the Charivari. Let us hope so. Meanwhile, we sup pose that there was some seriousness in the eloquence with which Ministers have been denouncing the ' violent outrage' of Austria and Prussia; and let it be noted that the discovery that those Towers 'recognise the principles that this country has up held,' and acknowledge themselves responsible to English opinion in their acts, is made before t hey have given the least sign that they are disposed to desist from their flagitious course of action. The case is a very simple one. The burglars are in pos session of every room in the house except the garret. We have been lustily crying out Thieves ! Police !' when suddenly it is announced with rapturous delight as an immense gain and triumph, that at onr earnest request the robbers have consented to detach one of the gang to talk over the little affair with us—the burglary to go on in the meantime. Such is the state of things for whioh we are now told we ought to be grateful ; and no doubt it well becomes Ministers to be thankful for small mercies." SPORTING INTELLIGENCE—This Day, HUNQERFORD RACES--THIS DAY. (Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) These races are postponed until to-morrow. The snow wo inches deep. RACING FIXTURES FOR 1864.. MA: Nottingham Spring 1 Derby Spring 3 Liverpool Shrewsbury Doncaster Spring AP. Croxton- park 1 Edinburgh Spring 2 Aborgavcnny 5 Mira: 5 j Warwick . . 16 Durham Northampton 29 Cattcrick 'ItTL. Chester York Spring Salisbury l2 Bath Epsom Spring Newmarket Craven ll Newmarket First Spring 25 Ju Ascot .. Hampton Newton Odiham Bibury Stockbridge :Ju Newmarket July Carlisle Abingdon Liverpool July Stamford l4 Pontefract - Aranchester Harpenden Epsom .... 24 Chelmsford 2B New Forest Hunt 23 Newcastle-on-Tyne 28 Worcester (Summer) Ipswich .. 'LY. : I Nottingham Winchester l9 I Southampton 2O Chesterfield I Goodwood SECOND EDITION. SUN OFFICE, HALF-PAST 4 o'CLoCK. Ar GUST. York August 23 Plymouth Derby . Lichfield Stockton Devon and Exeter Brighton.. 2 Brighton Club Lewes 6 Reading ll Egham Oxford lB Yarmouth BUTE:ABER. Weymouth 1 Richmond Warwick September.... 6 Monmouth 22 Leicester 8 Manchester Autumn .. 23 Doncaster Brecon .. 19 OCTOBER. Northallerton 6 Gloucester Newmarket Second Oct. 116 Newmarket Houghton 24 NOVEMBER. Shrewsbury Autumn .. 14 Worcester Autumn .... 30 Leamington&War.Hunt 22 STEEPLECHASING FIXTURES FOR 1864. MARCH. Grand Military (Rugby Hunt) l4 ArRIL. Abergavenny NOVEMBER. Leamington and Warwickshire Hunt 22 The Price of Gold. The quotation of gold at Paris is about 4 per mille pm., and the short exchange on London is 25.35 per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates with the English Mint price of 43 17s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, it appe.o s that gold is about 3-10ths per cent. dearer in London than in Paris. By advices framilamburg the price of gold is 423 i per mark and the short exchange on London is 13.4: per £1 sterling. Standard gold at the English Mint price is, therefore, rather more than 2-10ths per cent. dearer in London than in Ham burg, The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 174 to 175 per cent., and the premium on gold is about 50 per cent. At these rates there is a prot.t on the importation of gold from the United States. TRAFFIC RECEIPTS FOR TIU WEEK. Miles Opened. Reoelpts: Railways. 1864. 1863. 1864. 1863. Belfast and N. Counties 136 136 Belfast and County Down 4U 49 Blyth and Tyne 2B 28 Bristol and Exeter l2l/ 1211 Caledonian Coekermouth& Worldligton Bl 81 Cork and Bandon 2O 20 Cork, Blackrock, &Passage— 6} 61 Cork and Youghal • • 32i 3U Cornwall 6s} SRS Deeslde l7 17 Dublin & Belfast Junction 63 63 Dublin and Drogheda 75 63 Dublin and Meath Dub. & Wicklow and Wexld 9ll 181 Edinburgh and Glasgow 1691 16e Furness, &c 5O 6 Glasgow & South-Western Gt. Eastern,Nrik.,&E.Union Great Northern 353 351 Great North of Scotland 6B 58 Gt. Northn. & Westn. (Irel.) 7ll 714 Gt.Soutlin. &Westn.(lrlnd.) 3731 329 " Great Western 10 54 10321 Inverness & Aberdeen June B6/ 86, Inverness & Perth Junction 1191 -- Irish North-Western 145 145 Lancashire & Y orkshire Limerick and Ennis—. . ..... 241 241 Limerick and Foynes ........ 26k 261 Llanelly .. , ................. 461 461 London & North-Western ... 1221 1171 Brig S h o to u n tl-W , i szs e . s c t o er a n st ...... 2 4 6 5 1 0 441 London and Black wa ll L L o o u nd d o . n & 2611 London, r_ev tiriho, Chatham, ,puor yii ,4ia.,5 42 421 B LD l o a no n .d ., M. S ' heffield, & Lincolnsh .. 232 239 1 Blanch. S.J un.& Altrincham• • -4 28 - Maryport and Carlisle ....... 1 73. Metropolitan .. . ... ....... I ,z 014 ' t ;u2 l ( : the o en v ns e di r o n. . 1 7 0 21 72 * Midland (incl. N.-Viestern) e4l 6.0 1,815 1,712 661 005 1,33 t 1,4b8 6,073 6,268 16,451 11,792 280 9 3 112 154 387 317 1,368 1,1 2 0 246 19 8 1,238 1,258 1,466 1,521 100 111 2,116 1,552 7,625 6.181 3,093 2,691 8,007 7,884 28,703 27,240 28,893 25.779 1,583 1.602 40S 489 6i63 6,994 55,216 52,177 918 - 1,536 1,695 31,657 31,150 151 175 154 139 500 446 90,150 81,3.c3 1,612 1,555 16,70 36.9u0 13,763 15, os . 3,510 2 740 e 25 270 1.025 1,000 15,7e9 11,561 1,147 1,066 1,423 1,161 1,961 2,392 43,469 38,943 The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up to this day, are, in rou n d fi g ures, as under : - 1864. 1863. Great Western £53,468 £50,243 North-Westorn •• •• • 88 , 82 9 80,06 i South-Western Brighton . 13 , 89 7 14,040 Midland South Eastern Great Northern .. Lancashire and Yorkshire.. 34,920 31,300 Bristol and Exeter Great Eastern North Eastern 50,914 47,851 Manchester, Shelli,,td, and Lincolnshire 16',55 14,240 Midland and Great Western of Ireland Glasgow and South-Western These returns, compared with those of the same period of last year, are with one or two exceptions very favourable. On the pleasure lines there is a falling off—viz,, on the Brighton of £ll3, on the South Western of £139, and on the South Eastern of £264. The Great Western, however, shores an increase of £3,225, the North Western of £5,161 ; the Midland of £3,355, the Great Northern of £4,727, the Lancashire and Yorkshire of £3,C21, the Great Eastern of £1,190, the North Eastern of £o Sheffield, and Lincoln of e w Western .x..,015, 2outh .t.2 3 :0 6 1 3 5: the a na M i a .h n e ch G es l t: s , of 4,241, Art' Da 11 P s er thi4 11 11/r. O re ' lon. 01 a pt 5 1 ' .. „ ter 0 boil irder ybo/. rad° ter: ige 6 t he / of La ;0 0 cal an,' b (10 Shari 146 Sk I 20 'zoi to too too too stock stock stock 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 stock fitck 100 100 10 stock stock stook 20 stock 50 100 stock stock, spook 1031 10) 1 101 i 1021